In-field solar drying of ventilated large hay packages

The purpose of this study was to test and develop a machine which would form, "from the tractor seat," a ventilation tunnel in a high-density round bale having a moisture content above 35%. The ventilation tunnel would vent the interior of the bale and allow drying of the hay by natural air flow.

High-moisture bales were pierced with either one tunnel or three tunnels. Bale dimensions were taken before and after piercing. The result of these measurements showed less than 5 cm (2 inch) change in any bale dimension as a result of the piercing operation. Hydraulic gauge pressure was recorded during the piercing operation to determine the force required to produce a tunnel. The mean force developed by a 20.3 cm (8 inch) cone in producing a center tunnel was 11528.94 Newtons (2591.81 pounds).

The drying experiments consisted of comparing the effects of black plastic, chimneys and the number of tunnels on the drying rate of the high-moisture bales. An analysis of variance of the amount of moisture loss indicated no significant difference in any of the various treatments at the 90% confidence level.